Japan by bus

Traveling by bus in Japan is definitely one of the safest and cheapest ways of traveling while ensuring at the same time that you don't miss out on the beautiful natural landscapes around the country. Thanks to the well connected bus network between Japan cities it is easy to reach the majority of the most popular destinations within the country in a day.

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Table Of Contents

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Intercity buses in Japan

In Japan intercity buses are available on more than 278 travel combinations, while traveling with an average speed of 58 km/h. Of course, intercity bus routes via highway have a higher average speed. The majority of the Japan intercity buses are comfortable long distance coaches, but older vehicles might be used on busier travel days.

The timetable for popular intercity bus routes like Tokyo - Kyoto or Kyoto - Tokyo can be found online, but for some shorter intercity bus routes you might have to go to the bus station. Tickets are sold both online and on the spot, but after the COVID-19 pandemic an increasing number of travellers prefer buying their tickets online.

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Domestic routes

As mentioned above there are more than 278 domestic intercity bus travel combinations in Japan. Below you will find some of the most popular Japan travel routes with minimal or no stops along the way:

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Airport buses in Japan

If you are flying to Japan you will land in one of 28 airports located throughout the country. From the majority of Japan airports you have a bus shuttle to the nearest largest city and in some cases even intercity buses to other cities in the region. Click on the airport name below and read more about getting to and from the airport.

International airports:

Domestic airports:

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Bus companies in Japan

There are over 86 bus companies operating in Japan. 70 companies offer intercity bus lines, 5 companies drive airport shuttles, 0 companies operate regional and local lines, 4 bus companies offer bus rental and 0 companies offer bus tours. The bus companies are located in 19 cities throughout the country. The majority of companies can be found in Nagano and Tokyo.

70 intercity bus companies operating in Japan are very different in size. The largest Japan company Shinkansen JR Central connects more than 29 cities, whereas the smallest intercity bus company Skyliner and Tokyo Subway only has service to 1 cities.

Below we have listed some of the most popular bus companies in Japan. Full list of bus companies in Japan can be found here.

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Bus stations in Japan

In most cities there is a dedicated bus station, in smaller cities the bus station might be a parking lot with a shelter or a section on the road marked for multiple buses. In some cities buses also stop at public road bus stops or at gas stations and hotel parking lots. In larger cities you will find bus stations with amenities like toilets, luggage storage, kiosks, fast food restaurants and other useful services for travellers. In Japan there is a total of 153 bus stations, below we have listed 6 of the most popular bus stations, for a full list of bus stations in Japan click here.

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Hire a coach in Japan

Japan bus rental companies offer coaches for any kind of group trip, whether it’s a transfer from the airport to your hotel, or single and multi day excursions to the many sights in Japan. Rest assured you will be able to find a suitable partner. If you are travelling during the high season, it is advisable to book your bus in advance to secure one of the best vehicles for your group.
Here you can see a list of some companies offering bus rental in Japan:

Sugizaki Kanko
Kintetsu Bus
New Prince Highway Bus
Kintetsu Bus ZKN16

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Public transportation in Japan

In the majority of larger Japan cities, public transportation is available, in the cities like Tokyo or Himeji you have an extensive network of buses connecting all suburbs to the centre of the town.

Buying tickets for public transportation varies from city to city, sometimes they are bought at dedicated sales points and other times they are bought on the bus for example, so be sure to check which options are available for the city you are travelling in.

Here is a list of some Japan companies operating both local and suburban bus lines.

Shinki Bus
Shimotsui Dentetsu
Seibu Bus
Sugisaki Kanko Bus SS2
Tohoku express bus ZTH5
Kirakira Bus
Sanei Kotsu

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FAQ about buses in Japan